Virginia's Schools' Future Electronic

State Advises Major Computer Investment

July 26, 1996|By JONATHAN GOLDSTEIN Daily Press

RICHMOND — During the next six years, Virginia's schools need to make major investments in computers, computer networks and training for teachers, according to a technology plan approved by the Virginia Board of Education Thursday.

The plan, which provides recommendations for school divisions but does not require them to take any action, states that during the next six years:

* Schools should have at least one computer for every five students. In 1995, Virginia schools averaged one computer for every 10.5 students, according to a state survey.

* Schools should have extensive wiring installed to allow for school computers to communicate with each other and with computers at other locations through networks such as the global Internet.

* Teachers should be trained to use computer hardware and software and learn to integrate them into classroom activities.

* Teachers and school officials should use computers to help them perform administrative tasks and keep track of information more efficiently.

Some of the money needed to reach those goals will have to come from the school divisions, state officials acknowledge, but the state will pay part of the bill.

During the next two years, the state will give each school about $50,000 and each school division an additional $53,000 for computers, wiring, scientific calculators and other equipment.

The cost for bringing school divisions in line with the recommendations will vary, depending on the level of technology they already have.

A number of area school divisions are well on the way to meeting the technology plan's recommendations, but others will need to make major changes to measure up.

Hampton, considered a leader in school technology by state officials, has a ratio of about eight students per computer, said Charles Stallard, division director of information services and technology. He expects that ratio will be about three students per computer in six years.

He added that Hampton has made a major effort to provide schools with the wiring they need for networks and to train teachers to use technology in the classroom. Also, Hampton is hiring six additional staffers in the coming year to help keep equipment running and to train teachers and administrators to use it.

Newport News is further from state goals.

Steve Devan, the school division's supervisor of media and technology, said Newport News has a ratio of more than 10 students per computer. Five of the division's 40 schools will have the recommended level of wiring by the fall, he said.

"As far as infrastructure, we need a massive investment," Devan said.

Newport News administrators know they have to catch up, Devan said, and they've proposed a five-year plan to spend $53 million on the type of technology the state plan calls for. That five-year plan has yet to be approved by city officials, though.

Isle of Wight County Superintendent Jane York said her division is close to the goal, with a ratio of about six students per computer. By fall, seven of the division's eight schools will have the type of wiring recommended by the state plan, she said.

Teacher training is a priority, she added, and every teacher will receive two days of computer instruction this summer.

"It's like mission control in some of our schools," York said. "We know these are things we have to do. We've made a major effort."

At Thursday's meeting, Board of Education members pointed out that computers, though important, will never replace good teachers.

"It's a tool that ought to be used by teachers and administrators," Rayford Harris said. "It does not define education, it only assists."

WHERE SCHOOLS STAND

* A state technology plan recommends schools have at least one computer for every five students. Estimated number of students per computer in some area school districts: